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Tag: Agyole Abeh

  • Presidential panel summons CP for allocating magistrate’s car to self

    The Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police has summoned former Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Agyole Abeh, for allocating to himself a car forcefully taken from a Chief Magistrate in Benue State by officials of SARS in Abuja.

    Chief Magistrate Issac Faga Ajim had petitioned the panel, alleging a team of SARS officials, led by CSP Fatai Akinyomi, stormed his home in Markudi at midnight in November 2015 and went away with his Toyota Matrix car with registration number: MGN 731 GG and its original documents at gun point, claiming it was a stolen vehicle.

    It was while investigating the petition by Chief Magistrate Ajim (who is also the Chairman, Magistrates Association of Benue State and a member of the Justice Sector Reform Committee) that the panel found that CP Abeh, who retired earlier this year, allocated the car to himself while he was the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of SARS in Abuja

    At the sitting of the panel on Thursday it was discovered that the claim by the SARS official that the vehicle was a product of robbery, was a lie.

    During it proceedings on Thursday, a member of the panel put a call through to CP Abeh, who answered and claimed to currently be in Lagos.

    When told about the panel’s finding about the car and instructed to produce the vehicle before the panel within 24 hours, CP Abeh pleaded to be given some time because he was currently in Lagos.

    When directed to appear before the panel on Friday with the car, failing which an arrest warrant would be issued, CP Abeh said: “My brother that will be impossible. I cannot make it to Abuja. As I am talking to you, I don’t have money on me. You know I am now retired.

    “Please do bear with me. I will bring the car to you as soon as possible.”

    The panel member, who engaged in the phone conversation with CP Abeh to the hearing of all, ended the call in annoyance and instructed the panel’s Registry to issue summons against the retired policeman.

    In his contribution, a lawyer to the police, CSP James Idachaba Idachaba told the panel he had told CP Abeh long ago to quietly return the vehicle because of the controversy it has generated.

    Idachaba said CP Abeh ignored his suggestion and at a time, refused to answer his calls.

    Another lawyer for the police suggested to the panel that a report about the case should be written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), requiring the IGP to compel him to produce the car should he fail to produce it on Friday.

    Read Also: Presidential panel deplores torture

    The panel is also expecting former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro to appear before it on January 25 (today) in relation to his alleged complicity in the purported unlawful arrest, detention and extortion of members of Iwewe Community in Benue State SARS’ operatives.

    Moro was expected to appear before the panel on January 21 when it scheduled further hearing in a petition by the Iwewe Community, in which it was alleged among others, that SARS’ operatives invaded their community and subjected men and women to unlawful arrest, detention and extortion based on a petition allegedly authored by Moro.

    On Monday, Moro failed to turn up but sent a lawyer, Paul Samuel Ikpe, who told the panel that his client was absent because of the burial ceremony of the leader of his political party, slated on January 24 this year.

    Ikpe said the burial date coincides with the date the panel requested his client to attend its sitting.

    He added his client was interested in appearing before the panel.

    He requested the panel to do away with his client’s personal appearance, but instead, allow him to respond to panel’s questions in writing, a request the panel rejected.

    Chairman of the panel and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu said such a procedure contravenes the essence of its sitting, which is intended as a public enquiry

    Ojukwu said: “The panel would need to conduct some follow up questions that may arise from his testimonies, he needs to be here physically to testify publicly.”

    Last Monday was the second time Moro was failing to attend the panel’s sitting. On January 15 this year, his lawyer blamed his absence on some political engagements.

    Moro was accused of authoring a petition upon which SARS invaded Iwewe Community in Benue State and allegedly subjected them to Unlawful arrest, detention and extortion.

  • One dead as Police foil kidnap attempt in Kaduna

    One dead as Police foil kidnap attempt in Kaduna

    Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday foiled another kidnapping operation barely 48 hours after a Kaduna-based businessman Alhaji Sherif Abida Yazid was killed by kidnappers and his wife abducted along Kaduna-Abuja dual carriage expressway.

    The Police Public Relation Officer ASP Aliyu Mukhtar confirmed that the suspected kidnappers invaded the residence of the former Chairman of the vigilante group in Shika, Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mustapha Ghali with plans to abduct it occupants.

    The Kidnapers according to the spokesman for Kaduna Police command laid siege on the property and later forcefully adopted Alhaji Ghali and two of his daughters.

    However, the Police Special Response Squad stormed the area and engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel which resulted in said Alhaji Ghali and two Police Officers sustained varying degrees of injury.

    He further confirmed the death of the father of the abducted girls in a hospital while receiving treatment as a result of bullet injury sustained from crossfire between the Police and the kidnappers.

    When the Kidnapers could not withstand the firing power of the Police, they abandoned the two daughters and flee into the bush, the Police source said.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agyole Abeh has ordered a re-enforcement of Police personnel to the area to comb the forest in order to arrest the fleeing bandits

    “It is very sad that during the cross firing Alhaji Ghali was hit and pronounced dead at ABU Teaching Hospital Shika, where he was rushed to for Medical attention.

    “Some of our policemen also sustained an injury and are also receiving treated at the Shika General Hospital.

    “We are on the trail of the fleeing bandits and we shall bring them to justice very soon”, he said.

    Meanwhile the kidnapped wife of a Kaduna-based businessman, Hajiya Jamila Sheriff Abadeh Yazid has been rescued and currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Kaduna for the psychological trauma she suffered during her captivity.

  • No tension in Kaduna – Police

    No tension in Kaduna – Police

    Following rumoured tension and crisis against tribal communities, particularly Igbo community in Kaduna, Police as well as the State government on Thursday dispelled such rumour.

    There was rumour coming from outside the state since Monday that, Kaduna was on fire, with relations outside the State making frantic phone calls to their loved ones to authenticate the fact of the situation.

    However, in a meeting with Igbo and Yoruba communities in Kaduna, the State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh advised every residents to go about their normal businesses as there was no such incident in the entire State.

    “There is no crisis in Kaduna, the state is peaceful, I advise everybody to open his shops as usual and do your business.

    “Don’t be apprehensive, the rumour is baseless and unfounded. Our men are at alert all the time to ensure peaceful atmospheres in the State,” Abeh said.

    Responding, both Igbo and Yoruba community leaders, Chris Nnoli and Yinka Olapade respectively thanked the Police boss for assuring them of safety of Kaduna residents.

    The two community leaders blamed social media for the unwarranted rumour, and assured the police that they will take the message back to their people that Kaduna is actually peaceful.

    “I want to say without bias that Igbo are peace loving people, and they like to bring development to anywhere they found themselves even better than where they come from.

    “It is unfortunate that this rumour emanated from the social media, but we want to tell our that they should disregard such rumour because Kaduna is peaceful and we are all law abiding citizens,” Nnoli said.

    Similarly, the State Government has assured all residents of their safety.

    A statement issued by the Spokesman to governor Nasir El-rufai, Mr. Samuel Aruwan said state government and the security agencies have taken appropriate action to protect life and property in the state.

    “The Kaduna State Government wishes to assure all residents of their safety. The state government and the security agencies have taken appropriate action to secure lives and property. Therefore, every citizen should go about their lawful duties, without let or hindrance.

    “The security situation is under constant review, including events that have taken place in other parts of the country. Our diverse communities will not be engulfed by negative conduct that has taken place elsewhere.

    “The security agencies are staging shows of force and patrols as part of the effort to build confidence among citizens and deter mischief-makers.

    “The police and the SSS are also engaged in outreach to our communities to update them and to provide reassurance.

    “Our traditional institutions have also been alerted, and they are engaging people in their domains to keep the peace.

    “Every resident must live up to their civic responsibilities, and must shun and report anyone seeking or urging reprisals against innocents.

    “The Kaduna State Government urges everyone to resist the temptation to take the law into their hands.

    “There should be no recourse to self-help in Kaduna State. It will not be tolerated and will be punished accordingly.

    “In times like these, every citizen is expected to do their duty to uphold peace and harmony.”

    “Government wishes to reiterate that it will not tolerate hate speech and incitement. Members of the public should verify information before they share. Kaduna State is peaceful.

    “No community or market is under attack, and robust efforts are being applied to maintain the peace”.

  • 33 died during Kaduna clashes – Police

    33 died during Kaduna clashes – Police

    The police said on Wednesday that calm has been restored to villages in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State, where 33 people died during clashes between villagers and Fulani settlers.

    At least 27 Fulanis were killed by the villagers in two separate attacks, while six villagers died, the police said.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agyole Abeh, said at a press briefing that the incident started on July 11, when some villagers attacked a Fulani boy and his father.

    He said the death of the boy, later in a hospital, prompted some Fulani youths to attack the village where those who allegedly killed the boy hailed from and in the process six villagers died.

    The police commissioner said: “The youths from the area immediately mobilised and went into the bush attacking and killing all Fulani persons and burning any Fulani settlement within their sight.

    “The police were contacted and immediately mobilised and went to the scene, but the youths had already fled into the surrounding bushes leaving behind a death toll of 26 Fulanis, which are mostly women and children.

    “The injured were also recovered and taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment.

    “Calm has been restored to the area and a joint police/military presence has been beefed up in the area to bring about lasting peace and restore confidence in the people of the community.”

    NAN

  • Police apologize to assaulted journalist

    Police apologize to assaulted journalist

    The Kaduna State Police Command has apologized to Ibraheema Yakubu, the journalist that was assaulted by police officers during a clash between Shiites and members of a Kaduna community.

    Yakubu, who was arrested while covering a peaceful procession by the Shiites in Kaduna penultimate Friday, said he was beaten and slapped by police officers, before he was thrown into detention.

    The journalist, who reports for the Hausa service of the German Deutsche Welle, DW radio, was arrested as he covered a scene in which locals attacked the Shiites and tried to force them to disperse.

    At least two people were injured in the attack, witnesses said, while authorities said 10 people were arrested.

    Yakubu was released on bail to officials of the Kaduna council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at about 7:30 p.m. six hours after his arrest by the police.

    He returned to the police station on Wednesday as directed.

    On Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, made a verbal apology on behalf of the command to Yakubu.

    The police commissioner said his command would also consider replacing the journalist’s damaged equipment.

    Yakubu met the police commissioner in company of other journalists.

    “They have also confirmed that I am not a Shiite member as they alleged. I am just a journalist carrying out my constitutional responsibility,” he said.

  • Kaduna: Police arrest three suspected killers of fulani herdsmen

    The Police in Kaduna State, on Monday said they have arrested three suspects that allegedly killed two Fulani herdsmen on Saturday.

    The Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, told Journalists in Kaduna that the two Fulani herdsmen were grazing their livestock when they were killed on March 11 at Unguwan Luka in Jema’a Local Government Area.

    Abeh said the three suspects were arrested after a tip-off by Good Samaritans.

    The police commissioner, claimed that the suspects had made confessional statements and would  soon be charged to court.

    He declared that peace was gradually returning to southern Kaduna, and urged the general public  to go about their normal businesses.

    Abeh assured of the command’s readiness and commitment in providing secure environment to all citizens and solicited for more support from the public to enable police personnel discharge their duties more effectively.

    “I want to assure the people of the state of my resolve to flush out all forms of crime and criminality in the area,” he said.

  • Abuja-Kaduna highway safe – Police commissioner

    Abuja-Kaduna highway safe – Police commissioner

    The Kaduna State Police Command, on Monday said that the Abuja-Kaduna expressway is safe and secured for commuters.

    The commissioner Police, Agyole Abeh gave the the assurance in a press statement singed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman in Kaduna.

    Abeh however cautioned commuters against using alternate routes at odd hours.

    He said that the command had deployed enough resources to ensure the safety of travellers at all times.

    The commissioner added that the police is conducting regular patrol of the highway using SARS patrol teams, air surveillance and police special forces.

    “The command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to maintain security of lives and property in the state .

    “We are encouraging the members of the public to cooperate with the Command in its intelligence driven policing principles,” Abeh said.

     

  • Southern Kaduna now calm – Police commissioner

    The Kaduna State Police Command has adopted new strategies to tackle high intake of illicit drugs by youths in the state, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Agyole Abeh, has said.

    Abeh, who addressed journalists on Wednesday in Kaduna, said the situation was a source of serious concern to security agencies, and the command would take necessary measures to contain it.

    He also spoke on the crisis in Southern Kaduna, saying the situation was under control.

    He said the area was calm since the deployment of security personnel and appealed to traditional and religious leaders to help security agencies and government restore normalcy.

    “Security is everyone’s business. It cannot be achieved by the police alone, but through collective efforts,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the police commissioner as saying to journalists on Wednesday.

    He stressed that the command would continue to fight crime and criminality, so that everyone can move freely without molestation.

    He, however, dismissed the casualty figures bandied by some groups on the Southern Kaduna crisis, describing the figure as “highly exaggerated.”